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Question: My burning question regards the intersection at the corner of Chestnut, Mount Clare and Broadway. Did I hear rumors some time ago about a proposed roundabout being constructed here? This intersection is a free-for-all, and you take your life into your hands each time you venture into it, whether you're walking or driving. It's a miracle there haven't been more accidents. I'm not a big red light camera proponent, but boy could Buncombe County make some serious jing here! They'd earn about $100 every three-four minutes, depending on how fast the lights change. Perhaps a police presence, every now and then, might mitigate some of the illegal right on red turns and running of the lights. Thanks for letting me vent!

My answer: I'm a somewhat frequent flier at this intersection, and I've got to agree with the reader that it's downright exciting, especially because you can't see oncoming traffic real great at times. My idea is to set up a guide service where I'll shepherd cars through here for $1 a pop. I'm telling you, it's an untapped gold mine. With a really short lifespan.

Real answer: No roundabout in sight, folks.

"Currently, there are no plans to add a roundabout to the intersection mentioned by your reader," said Mark Gibbs, division maintenance engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Asheville office, which has jurisdiction over Broadway. "We will evaluate the intersection to see if additional signage is needed, which could further improve the intersection."

Gibbs was not disputing the illegal maneuverings going on there.

"Your reader is correct, the illegal traffic movements become an enforcement issue, and we will be glad to contact the Asheville Police Department concerning this matter," he said.

Traffic cameras are a more complex issue. Asheville currently does not have them, and they come wrapped in a whole series of thorny issues, from citizen privacy to just who they generate revenue for, via tickets for running red lights and other violations.

So far, Asheville has not made a move toward them.

"Concerning traffic signal cameras, there are few cities and towns across North Carolina that have camera systems in place to monitor intersections for red light violators," Gibbs said. "Such monitoring systems require legislative authority as well as permission from North Carolina DOT to be installed and operated on state-maintained roads. We have not been approached by the city of Asheville seeking to install these devices."

Question: At the Buncombe County Courthouse, why do employees not have to go through the same security as other visitors?

My answer: Hey, I'm just thankful they don't make me strip down to my skivvies over there. Trust me, nobody wants to see that violation of public decency.

Real answer: Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Spokeswoman Natalie Bailey and Deputy Chief Glen Matayabas, who works in the Detention and Courts Bureau, answered this one in a joint statement.

"Although courthouse personnel do not have to go through the walk-through metal detectors or have their bags scanned, they still are required to present a valid county-issued photo identification card in order to gain access as an employee," they said. "Courthouse employees have completed a thorough background check in order to meet established security requirements, and it would seem intrusive to have these employees submit to a security check in order to enter the place where they work."

Scanning all the employees would also cause delays for citizens entering the building.

"Courthouse security scans over 1,100 visitors to the courthouse each day," Bailey and Matayabas said. "Concerned members of the public should know that the courthouse is staffed with armed Sheriff’s Office deputies throughout the courthouse, and these deputies are trained to deal with workplace violence scenarios, as well as active shooter situations."

In short, the building is a secure facility, even though courthouse employees do not have to go through the metal detectors, they said.

This is the opinion of John Boyle. To submit a question, contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com